The Effect of the Angle of Release of a Basketball Shot on the Free Throw Percentage
School Name
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physics
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to determine the "ideal angle of release" that will produce the greatest percentage of free throws made. The independent variable of the experiment was the angle of release of the shot and the dependent variable of the experiment was the percentage of free throws made. The levels for the independent variable of the experiment were 30- 45 degrees, 45-60 degrees and 60-75 degrees. The control of the experiment was when the shooter shot with an angle of release below 30 degrees or above 75 degrees. Some of the constants of the experiment were the type of ball, basketball goal, how far each person shot from, the height of the goal, and lastly the number of free throws each person gets. For the basic procedure outline, the shooter shot 10 free throws and the shots were videoed by an ipad so that the angle of release could be determined. The percentage of free throws made was noted and inscribed in the data. The hypothesis of the experiment suggested that if the subject's angle of release is between 45 degrees and 50 degrees, then the subject will make a higher percentage of their shots than if they shoot outside these parameters. The finalized experiment and data suggested that the "ideal" angle of release for a free throw was between 47-55 degrees. The project, for the most part, supported the hypothesis made for this experiment.
Recommended Citation
Avery, Reid and Draffin, Walker, "The Effect of the Angle of Release of a Basketball Shot on the Free Throw Percentage" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 238.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/238
Location
Furman Hall 127
Start Date
3-28-2020 8:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
Yes
The Effect of the Angle of Release of a Basketball Shot on the Free Throw Percentage
Furman Hall 127
The purpose of this project was to determine the "ideal angle of release" that will produce the greatest percentage of free throws made. The independent variable of the experiment was the angle of release of the shot and the dependent variable of the experiment was the percentage of free throws made. The levels for the independent variable of the experiment were 30- 45 degrees, 45-60 degrees and 60-75 degrees. The control of the experiment was when the shooter shot with an angle of release below 30 degrees or above 75 degrees. Some of the constants of the experiment were the type of ball, basketball goal, how far each person shot from, the height of the goal, and lastly the number of free throws each person gets. For the basic procedure outline, the shooter shot 10 free throws and the shots were videoed by an ipad so that the angle of release could be determined. The percentage of free throws made was noted and inscribed in the data. The hypothesis of the experiment suggested that if the subject's angle of release is between 45 degrees and 50 degrees, then the subject will make a higher percentage of their shots than if they shoot outside these parameters. The finalized experiment and data suggested that the "ideal" angle of release for a free throw was between 47-55 degrees. The project, for the most part, supported the hypothesis made for this experiment.
